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— ON — 



INTEMPERANCE 



-BY — 



JOSEPH HODGSON. 



Author of^^M^oetic Musings" 

Thayer Co. Sentinel Print. 






A 



C03^TrrE:2sTTS. 

PACK. 

Jrreface 55 

Introductory Rhyme ....... 7 

Vice Saloon $^ g 

Drug Saloon * g.H 

Do Not Treat . II, 12 

Trumpet Blown, The 13-15 

Liquor War, The 15-17 

Old Tramp Printer Reply Ta The .17-19 

Epitaph on a Tailor . • 20-21 

Contrast, The 22 

Cigar, The 23-24 

Tavern, The 24-26 

Tobacco, The 26 

Tobacco, Address To 27-29 

Rum-Rapid Transit R«iute to Jail-The 29, 30 
Elegy, Or Supposed Lament of Mr. 

Gordon, Etc., The . 31-36 

Helps 36 

Temperance Ladies' Address .... 37 
Temperance Gent's Address .... 38 

Two Loafers, The ^9, 40 

Saloonist, The ^.i 

Drunkard, The 42 

Some Clinching Thoughts 42, 43 

Abstain 43,44 

Epigrams, I 44 



Epigrams, II 44 

Epigrams, III . . . 44 

Epigrams, IV 4S 

How Happy Are They 45 » 4^ 

Evil Use of Tongue, The 46,47 

Wagging Tongue- — I. Woman's — The 48-50 
Wagging Tongue — II. Man's— The. . 50-53 

Ale 53-55 

Them Twain Are One 55. 5^ 

Do, Or Do Not 57 

Tetotaler and Drunkard, The .... 57-59 

Reflections 59»6o 

Drunkard's Joys, The 60-62 

Merciful 62,63 

To Iniquity 63, 64 



PREFACE. 

Let us ask ourselves the question, Is there 
to all mankind a vested interest in each 
other's moral, inteilectual, and even physi- 
cal perfection? If so, how much, in this 
point of view, docs intemperance injure us — 
injure not only ourselves, but our neighbors, 
our fellow-citizens, and countrymen ? 

We all know that the vile traffic in stimu- 
lants affords a living unto a few ; these few 
too lazy-willed and mean-souled to act honor- 
ably, and try to obtain it after a more ap- 
proved and honest manner. 

These very few derive living profits by 
creating a sort of misery, by engendering vice 
and poverty, which others, or the public 
charity, is taxed to support. Then to clap 
the cap and climax of folly on government, 
a few lazy, mean souls are licensed to do this 
at the expense of the general welfare of 
society. 

The people's morals become depraved, 
their intellect debased and restrained from 
development, and their physical condition is 
greatly injured — all for what? That a few 



worthless characters and useless drones — aye, 
a thousand times worse than useless — may ac- 
quire a disreputable living. 

Oh, that we could enforce prohibition* 
what improvement might we not expect to 
see ? The poor would have plenty, the jails 
be empty, the attorneys be turned from the 
practice of law unto honest labor, useful, 
producing labor, unto healthy manual labor. 

The author here of these few Intemper- 
ance Rhymes, being a cripple, asks the pat- 
ronage of the good and benevolent. The 
cheerful, ready purchaser can have his hearty 
thanks, and need not expect to be a loser 
while benefiting himself as well as others. 

Rgse Creek, Thayer Co., Neb., March 22, /88o. 



IXTBOnUCTOltT MHTM£, 

I am a little book ; 

My author took some pains 
That others might with pleasure look 

Into my letter'd brains, ^ 

To find out what amuse 

And all of real worth 
They could obtain from my peruse 

To praise my merits forth. 

But am afraid, afraid, 

Some will not value me. 
Nor care ev'n were the author dead 

Who did create to be. 
Oh! that I were a glass — 

A glass of ruby wine, 
Or whiskey dram — how soon, alas ! 

They'd taste me for a dime. 

Nor would they call me dear, 

Nor say I was not good. 
Nor worth a dime their souls to cheer, 

Or 'rouse their rabid blood. 
But brief would be their glory, 

When I was swallow' d down, 
For it would be the sad old story 

Of drunken, bad renown. 

Then had I better be, 

Just what you see and read — 
An admonition verily 

To those who counsel need ; 



Rhymes on Intemperance, 

To show their dangerous folly 

Who drink, and drink, and drink. 

Till whiskey drives them melancholy 
Upon rough ruin's brink. 



THE VICE SALOON. 

What is a vice saloon ? A thing 
To grip and hold the human soul. 

Like some mechanic's tool, and bring 
Fast under Satan's strong control. 

What is a vice saloon ? A dam 

Upon life's river, which should flow 

Onward before the great I AM. 

Undamag'd by such depths of woe. 

What is a vice saloon ? A leech 
Upon the hand of love and health, 

A tap on strength, which ought to teach 
How soon we may lose all of wealth. 

What is a vice saloon .-* A curse 
To every woman, man and child ; 

For ever making humans worse, 

Their language more and more defil'd. 

What is a vice saloon ? A hell 

In minature upon the earth. 
Where rowdy drunkards love to dwell, 

To spit their spleen, and martyr mirth. 

The vice saloon's a place to pour 

A vial full of human woes, 
To make a drunkard every hour 

Who fast the road of ruin goes. 



Rhymes on Intemperanee. 9 

Behold ! in these saloons, the reign 
Of ill, where man on man will frown 

Intoxicated ; rob for gain 

Till God in judgment sharp looks down. 

Why can not mortals, thoughtful, let 
The cursed things of evil be • 

Pluck no forbidden fruit, but get, 
And only get, what right ihey see. 

Behold ! that useful pump, a thing 
To draw cool water from the earth, 

A sober sense of blessing brino-, 
Superior to ungodly mirth. 

To draw it with a gentle hand, 

A cheerful mind, a right good-will ; 

And at the same time nobly stand 
A creature free from vice and ill. 

Away with vice saloons ! away 

With all that here destroys the soul. 
Ruins the mind, doth reason slay ; 
Away with tools of Satan all, 
April ig, 1S78. 

DRUG SALOONS. 

On earth, lo ! hell and heaven between, 
Of man, the work of his self will. 

Is found full many a strangest scene — 
Fall many a place of human ill. 

See drunkard, drug and law saloons, 

And places for religious cant, 
Where, changing with the changing moons, 

Men seek whate'er their humors want. 



lo Rhymes on Intemperance, 

What is a drug saloon ? A place 
Licensed to^deal in things of hell, 

To look on man with wolfish face, 
Sheep-clad, to do ill to do well. 

A drug saloon is full of jars, 
Glass jars with medicinal things, 

Too frequent use of which oft mars 
The health which nature kindly brings. 

With thoughtless mind, wend not your way 
Unto those places, lest you have 

Too often for such drugs to pay. 

Till you become their very slave. |l 

Oh ! do not call on drug saloons, 

To often fill an empty flask. 
To feel so luny with the moons, 

As reformation is a task. 

Drink is a tempter to the weak, 

An appetizer to the strong ; 
Who fondly will with folly seek — 

The road to ruin is not long. 

But what is ruin ? can you tell ? 

Something more strong than rum or wine ; 
It is a state in which to dwell. 

Where misery lives or conscience whines. 

A place where vanity and pride ; 

No use of vain presumptions find 
A state where rolls a lava tide, 

Of flame-like feelings o'er the mind. 



Rhymes en Intemperance. II 

Oh ! these saloons are hells own gate. 
The drugs they sell just kill the soul ; 

Fire it as with the match of fate, 
Until it burns beyond control. 

Away with all such ruinous things, 
Away with pleasures causing pain, 

Away with drugs whence misery springs, 
As neither fit for swine or men. 
A/>ril 2g, J878. 

no NOT TREAT. 

Do not treat because you love. 
Otherwise your friendship prove, 
Though of right good social cheer, 
Do not treat for friendship here. 

When is danger in the cup 
That in redness bubbles up; 
"When is danger where you stand 
With temptation in your hand. 

Oh receive not friendships smile 
Drinking here's good health the while. 
With some spirits mean and vile 
When is danger, where is guile. 

Taste not then the sparkling wine, 
Call not Whiskey's goblet fine ; 
You may stagger ere you doubt. 
And from friendship fall clean out. 

You may tipple, snuff and smoke. 
You may idle, trifle, talk ; 
'Till you step on ruin's ledge* 
jCom^ tQ wftnt in hoary ^ge, 



I^ Rhymes on Intemperance* 

Without prudence in* your plan 
To be cautious all you can, 
You may step by step come down 
Under adversity's dark frown. 

Midst the checker'd scenes of life, 
When there is a look of strife ; 
Temperance is a useful thing, 
Unto friendship closely cling. 

Heading not a telling wink. 
How you thoughtlessly may sink, 
You may get a sudden fall, 
Death may pounce upon your soul. 

Love your neighbor, self and God, 
By adhering to the good ; 
By refusing drunkard's treat, 
Love is sweet without more sweet. 

Though the glass may sparkle fine, 
Ruby red may be the wine; 
Though a friend's a friend indeed. 
Do not taste, you have no need. 

Act with forethought, seeking good ; 
Ever fear the eye of God; 
Be ye wise in time, and prove 
That you do sincerely love. 

Live, by loving all you can. 
On the christian's noble plan ; 
Love with prayer instead of wine, 
Grandest treat is love divipe, 
ftbruary IP, /575, 



Rhymes on Intemperance, 13 

TUE TJtVMPET BLOWN. 

1 looked, and I saw a mighty angel, blowing his 
trumpet unto the nations, warning them against the 
sin of drunkenness. 

And I stood upon a mountain, 

Lovely valleys were below, 
Many a sweetly-flowing fountain, 

Through the valleys wander'd slow. 

And I looked each way, ind every 

Which the winds of heaven could blow, 

Saw some men were full of knavery, 
Others full of want and woe. 

And I saw, a mighty angel 

On this earih, God's footstool stand ; 
And I heard, his trumpet sounding; 

Which did sound to every land. 

And I heard it sounding loudly, 
Drunkards that do God forget; 

(As he blow'd, it sounded clearly), 
Are a vile rebellious set. 

Set against his worthy kingdom. 

Set against his righteous rule ; 
Like the wild ass acting wildly. 

Wilful, like the stubborn mule. 

Set against all social order, 

Set against the public good ; 
And against heaven's holy border 

JCicking oft, and hard withstood. 

Quarreling oft, and rudely bawling, 
pawling out their sin and shame ; 

IJellward rushing, downward rolling, 
Sou} and body all aflame. 



14 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

All athirst for ardent spirits, 
All aglow with fierce desire ; 

Which they may by birth inherit, 
Or, by habit more^acquire. 

These can never, never enter. 

Nor come nigh yon lofty gates ; 
But will God forsaken venture 

Where the devil only lets. 

As forgetting that their being 

Should not God. and love disown ; 

As foigetting the all-seeing 

Would have glory and renown. 

Would have men never gainsay him, 
Conscious of his right and good ; 

Wicked those who disobey him, 
And their folly, understood. 

Lets them into every error, 

Lets them boldly curse and drink ; 
Lets them without thought, or terror, 

Lower fall and deeper sink. 

For their lusts so very sensual, 
For their ways so devious all , 

For their appetites so beastly. 
Under condemnation fall. 

Pride and folly that are ever 

Eating of forbidden fruit; 
Full of guile, and false endeavor. 

Only act themselves to suit. 

Bad examples unto others, 
Tempt and lead the evil way ; 

Carelessly will draw their brothers, 
f^x from virtues path ^tray, 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 1 5 

Wicked as the fiendish murderer, 

Selfish as the midnight thief; 
The drunkard acts like reckless gambler, 

He of sinners is the chief. 

God will punish every drunkard, 
They shall find out that he wills 

Qualms, and pains, and tears for folly; 
Self-will'd pleasures all are ills. 

Who have with the foulest acids, 
Druggj'd, and poison'd fellowmen ; 

God will act to them implacid. 
And shall spoil their worthless gain. 

Who have done so much injury ? 

Who have made the orphans cry? 
God will look on them with fury, 

Then shall turn away his eye. 

Thus did blow the mighty angel; 

And I look'd again and saw, 
That man's oonscience grew more tender, 

As more clearly he did blow. 

Till his thoughts grew hot within him, 
Stirr'd by conscience like a rod; 

Till he owned he was a rebel, 
And a sinner against God. 

Oct. 31, 1875. 

THE LIQZrOR WAR. 

We've a sad, old drunkard here, 
Who seems feeling rather queer ; 

Like to shed the unwonted tear. 
O'er the question, wine and beer — 
All tor folly. 



l6 Rhymes en Intemperance, 

^Vhat the world with him's the matter, 
With his teeth so prone to clatter, 

With his eyes so apt to water, 

With his tongue to hate bespatter — 
0> by golly ! 

'Tis, he now begins to think, 
That he can not have his drink, 

And, in carnal pleasures sink, 
Means and money for a blink— 
And be jolly. 

'Tis the liquor license here, 
One big thousand for the year, 

Fills him full of dread and fear. 
Drives him without hope of beer — 
Melancholy. 

With his feelings highly tensed. 

He is strongly up against, 
All the men who have commenced, 

While the women have condensed— 
The Liquor War. 

And he spatters out amain. 

Spits his words like drops of rain, 

Calls the question up again, 
As he felt it gave him pain — 
Or, some jar. 

But he could be cured well. 

If his faith he did not sell. 
In Christ Jesus, let me tell, 

Love for all men would prevail — 
Near and far. 



.,1 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 1 7 

Soon like blazes, news would run, 
That the drunkard had been won, 

To wisely evil manners shun, 
Had a brighter course begun — 
Like a star. 

From the drunkard's harden'd nature, 
Chang'd to lovely, handsome feature, 

Rebel of gigantic stature, 

Turn'd into a humble creature — 
All by grace. 

Thus the sinner may be made. 

Better seen than can be said; 
Thus the inebriate may have aid. 

By the Holy Spirit led — 
In a race 

To endure, his foe to beat, 

Favor'd with the saints to meet, 

Round the Father's mercy seat, 
Where his own each other greet — 
Hopeful case! 

When the liquor is debar'd, 

From transgressor's ways so hard; 
Thus the drunkard may be starr'd, 
Looking ever heavenward — 
With his face. 
Nov. 20, 1875, 

BEPLT TO THE** TRAMP PJRINTJSR.'* 

IN SAME STYLE AS HIS. 

Poor old tramp. 
And vagrant scamp, 



l8 Rhymes on IntemperanUt 

Tramping so through ice and snow. 

Thou shouldst have pain 

In heart and brain 
Who no better sense canst show. 

Than just to tramp 

Through cold and damp 
Reckless, heedless on forever, 

Without the wit 

To get a sit, 
Or, once to make a good endeavor. 

No sit, ye bet. 

Such tramp will get 
In this world with life so short ; 

Who e'er squanders 

Time, and wanders 
Here and there, a drunken sport. 

Rich and proud 

In every crowd. 
Should be glad to let him go, 

Though he sigh 

And think of pie (pi). 
Hungry, weak, and craven so. 

Here, hear old tramp 

Of villain stamp 
Friendship is a dying ember ; 

Without love 

To rightly prove 
Something worthy to remember. 

"Professional villains take their ease," 
Art thou then villain unprofest ; 

"Hypocrites pray on bended knees" 
But must thou tramp to make request. 



Rhymes on Intemperance, 19 

**Roam. r«am 

Away from home" 
Out of reason, out of bread ; 

Drinking oft 

Brain become soft, 
And never worth a single "red." 

True there be those in every hall 
Who'd drink and dance forever ; 

And while they live with merry soul, 
Will of religion think never. 

The great I AM, who is just in his love, 
Has given the law such neighbors to prove; 

And if like a tree no good fruit they bear 
He will try them full soon with "compass 
and square." 

Love can not forgive, nor justice reprieve. 
Those who, e'er thoughtless, in folly will 
live; 
A place in heaven they never can share, 
When tried by the Rule "with compass and 
square." 

The old tramp's days will not be many more, 
But dead drunk he may pass to the unseen 
shore. 
And, I AM, though merciful, yet fair, 

"Will try the old tramp with compass and 
square." 

And one that will drink, will eat and not pay, 
Will send from his presence forever away; 

No excuse for the one that would not do fair, 
When tried and found o>it **with compass 
and square?" 



20 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

FPITAPM, 

ON A TAILOR, NAMED LYNCH, AND WELL KNOWN 

TO THE AUTHOR. 

Here lyeth Lynch, whom whiskey lynch'd 
Though he from whiskey never flinch'd, 

When wildly on the spree ; 
Excepting when he got too full 
Of drugs and acids, beyond rule 

Of love and equity. 

When conscious sober, he was wise 
With skillful hands and eager eyes, 

To cut fine cloths and new : 
Ready to measure any man, 
And dress him out on fashions plan. 

As fast as he could sew. 

When drunk, he look'd a little hazed. 

His tongue would wag, his brains were crazed. 

His wit came wildly out ; 
He found he could not keep it in, 
For drink makes sense and reason thin 

Without a shade of doubt. 

He worked hard, he charged high, 
Made money fast with evil eye, 

To gain the world's dross; 
But so illused it when he got 
Himself abused, and made a sot, 

That it all went to loss. 

He lived so foolish, as most men 
Appear to do, and he was vain 

Of things so worldly small. 
The drunkard spends his manhood's prime, 
And oft his life's appointed time 

As if more beast than soiij. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 21 

He lived as though believing Christ 
His life had never sacrificed 

For sinners all so vile; 
No heaven to well reward the saint, 
No place of endless banishment. 

No faith creed worth his while. 

He lived in folly long enough 
Was weak to try reform, was proof 

against all good advice ; 
Yes, he was weak, an abject slave 
Of alcohol, and never brave 

Enough to conquer vice. 

Yet he was free and social kind, 
Then think of him with pitying mind. 

And softly drop a tear; 
For now he lies with full closed eyes, 
Where he no more can whiskey prize 

Nor drink besotting beer. 

Though thoughtful tears roll down the cheek, 
That he like us was frail and weak. 

And came no nearer heaven ; 
He found at last what nature craves 
For all, where long the green grass waves, 
A place to sleep, a mortal's grave. 

From vice and folly driven. 

Come drop a tear, 
Poor Lynch lies here. 
Peace to his ashes, may his soul 
Rest where no waves of trouble roll, 

May God forgive him now. 
And if he can not enter heaven. 
No lower may his soul be driven. 
But calm rest on bis brow, 



22 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

THJE CONTRAST. 

Behold the difference, lasting great, extreme, 
Betwixt the real good, and folly's dream, 
To shun the waste of days, and months, and 

years, 
For, time improv'd a lasting boon confers ; 
See, moralizing Christians still essay, 
For happiness and virtue day by day, 
By choosing sober paths thro' this rough 

world, 

Beneath their Banner truthful wide unfurl'd 
They march in bands of union, order, strength 
And thus expect to reach their home at length. 
Their fathers home with all their sins for- 
given, 

Beyond this changeful scene, in yonder 
Heaven. 

Again, behold the drunkard, ragg'd and tired, 
Unslept, unblest, his company unHesir'd, 
Excepting where the person takes him in, 
Who gives him drink in foul exchange for tin. 
Midst midnight brawls he rushes into crime. 
Endangers life, far worse than wastes his 
time. 

His children cry for bread, yet naught he 
hears, 

Naught save his v'le companion's roar and 
rant; 

No family distress his heart can daunt, 
Or, stop him in his wretched, mad career, 
^e dies, and misery is his record h^re^ 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 23 

TM:E CIGAIt, 

Out, out on that silly thing, that dark brown 

cigar, 
Ye dandified gentles so fondly prefer, 
What hours at a tavern it giveth employ, 
Amid gluttons that puff with a relish of joy. 

With a square-flipp'd cap, and brisk-looking 
physog. 
Your " broth of a boy" is a figure incog, 
Who whistles at pleasure and lights his cigar, 
Disgraceful to man at the publican's bar. 

Oh! where does the column of majesty- 
stand. 

When reason asserts her supremacy grand, 

And reigns over mind with the sceptre of 
truth, 

For ever to banish the follies of youth. 

Oh ! not in the usage inferior by far. 
Of lighting up thought with a smoking cigar ; 
But better when error, as blue curling smoke, 
Must vanish in air like a lack lustre joke. 

Oh ! great is the fear of a dark brown cigar, 
That fires up a village more furious than 

war, 
When thoughtlessly thrown in a corner aside, 
Since tickling the taste of some whimsical 

pride. 

Hark! hark to the shout of the fireman loud. 
Look, look at the rush of the anxious crowd ; 
Gaze, gaze on the scene of the wild-leaping 

flames. 
Fierce tongues of the fire which confusion 

proclaims. 



24 Rhymes on Tntentperanet. 

What matter, what matter, a dark brown 

ci^iar, 
See ! foul-mouth'd presumption will erer 

prefer ; 
Then light up a one that with folly consumes^ 
To see all the doers of ill to their tombs. 

Ye cities ! your plaint must to heaven 

ascend, 
Ere man of his folly e'er seeketh to mend ; 
Ere, heaven-assisted, he probeth the cause, 
Whence often the tide of calamity flows. 



TJBLE TAVERlf. 

The tavern never can suffice 

To please, when conscience often calls; 
A tavern's noise, that house of vice. 

Will never do for humble souls. 

The place of guilt, of sin, of wrong, 
Of midnight mirth, of comic song ; 
Where goodness ever flies the door, 
Where haggard care walks o'er the floor; 
Affords no rest, offers no hope. 
For man with sorrow e'er to cope. 

The place obscene, with dirty rags, 
Where idleness for ever lags. 
Which squalid poverty imports, 
Where impudence again retorts. 
Where many a fleeting health is drunk, 
And oft the passing coin is sunk, 
All to no purpose here on earth, 
Except to cause of joy more dearth. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 25 

Ye wretched scenes of vice and evil, 
Of violence, threatening?;, words uncivil, 
Of boisterous joys, of aimless rant. 
Of thoughtless wit, of absurd cant. 
Ye are too vain to tempt my stay. 
From scenes like these I must away. 

The humble soul can never brook, 
The proflicate's obdurate look ; 
His joys ungrounded, hope's delusions, 
His haunts of misery, sad confusions ; 
His vices which so little please, 
With conscience often ill at ease; 
Whene'er he looks upon the good. 
Whene'er he thinks upon his God — 
Whose follies lead to endless ruin, 
With judgment in their path pursuing. 

Ye scenes of passion's lawless moods, 
Where care is drown'd in foaming floods ; 
Where love departs from all that's good. 
Where folly's children hatch and brood 
The ills of life; and, where the soul 
Beneath the power of alcohol. 
Is brought into a vile subjection. 
To clank the chains of low connection ; 
To sow the seeds of certain crime, 
To raise the weeds, not flowers of time ; 
To crush the tho'ts that seek to rise, 
With heavenly hopes to starry skies. 

Ye scenes disgusting, dramas rude, 

Of life theatrical, the balls 

Which custom haunts, where fashion calls ; 

Where prudence never may intrude. 



26 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

Your reign is horrible, your dens 
Of infamy no lust restrain. 
Away, from scenes like these, away ! 
Ye are too bad to tempt my stay, 
Jan. i8, 1862. 



TOBACCO. 

Away with ye fumes of tobacco and smoke, 

Ye delusions so vain 

On the senses of men ; 
Let me breath of the clear and refreshing 

sweet air, 
To inhale to my lungs all again and again, 

What only is pure. 

That health may endure, 
What only is good for the spirit of man, 
Since pleasures habitual to evil illure. 

Ye loved impositions, can reason allow ? 
These much relish'd desires 
Of the pipe's kindled fires. 
They are hurtful, expensive and useless to 

you. 
Give me those wholesome things which my 
nature requires ; 

Things good for the mind, 
All the wisdom ye find j 
What ever promotes the well being of all. 
The good disposition ever welcome and as 

kind. 
"^fsi Allendale^ England^ 184J. 



Rhymes on Intemperafiu. 27 

TOBACCO. 

Ye fumes of dark tobacco, 'way with you 

away ! 
Ye are the smoke that 'scends from where the 

devils stay ; 
Ye are the tiny clouds which hide men's little 

faults. 
Until the devils drag them to the infernal 

vaults. 
Thou vile tobacco, stinkenist weed, offshoot 

of hell, 
That has taken root on earth, and grows, ah, 

grows too well, 
Like alcohol ©ft used, to shortens life's brief 

span ; 
As other vices which engross the mind of 

man. 
Through will'd forgetfulness of nature, na- 
ture's God, 
And all his holy laws which guide on heaven's 

road, 
Thou'rt here, and cultivated well with Folly's 

care. 
To lead the thoughtless from those scenes 

most bright and fair ; 
And, by what engine foul, drawn thro' the 

mouth of man. 
Invention without wit; and void of wisdom's 

plan ; 
Clay made, fiU'd full, and lighted up with fire 

and air. 
To puff vile fumes, and poison pleasure every- 
where. 
Oh, dark tobacco, charm for care that oft is 

sought, 



28 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

Thou type of weakness, vanity and human 
thought, 

From vice habitual drawn to error's endless 
night; 

In spite of nature's God who sail, " let there 

be light," 
And light was, and is, o'er all the fair and 

flowery earth. 
Where sure God never meant tobacco to have 

birth 
Except for herbal use, a medicinal cause, 
(How blest is he that herbal lore and uses 

kuows^. 
But man, hear reason say, it never was de- 

sign'd 
For him to use in all the various forms ye 

find. 
Of plug, of twist, of shagg, and mouth- 

cock'd hot cigars ; 
In all those forms it hath its victims like the 

wars. 
So purely poisonous and pernicious is tke 

weed. 
Whoever use, had better only snaoke indeed. 
Whoever chews it much, will, without any 

doubt. 
Soon spit, spit much, and spit his constitution 

out. , 

Oh surely God created not the weed to kill, 
But meaning it some useful purpose to fulfil ; 
Not in the common way, so foul, so vile, so 

mean. 
Oh ! never in a way so dirty and obscene. 
Again, oh ! once again, lets hear what reason 

says. 



Rhymes on Intemperance, 29 

So wise in counsel and experienced in her 

ways ; 
She shows how prone is man to waste his 

coin and time 
In learning folly, doing evil, touching crime, 
Tasting forbidden fruit, and wandering oft 

amiss, 
Far thro' this wide, wide world's weary 

wilderness, 
Canada, i8b2. 



RUM. 

THE RAPID TRANSIT ROUTE TO JAIL. 

Too much of drink makes sorry drunk, 
Strong rum o'ercomes the human soul, 

Soon care is drown'd, and hope is sunk, 
Thoughtless intemperance ruins all. 

Strong liquor fires the very blood, 
Yea, sets the soul on fire of hell ; 

Out of bad whiskey comes no good, 
Excepc confinement in some jail. 

If any jail-bird, often flown, 
Is better e'er for being confin'd; 

If good desire has stronger grown. 
To keep possession of the mind. 

Such birds as these, which must be 
eaged. 
To keep from mischief, vice, and harm ; 

How ever oft to temperance pledg'd, 
Are apt again to meet with harm. 



30 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

Too prone to fall the same ill way. 
To warm their passions, heat up, fell; 

Rum is to sinners, jolly gay, 
"The rapid transit rout to jail." 

Till often for their failings here, 
Who ask for sins to be forgiven ; 

There comes no other better cheer, 
A chariot, but not from heaven. 

The wicked never can do vi^ell. 
With aims so mean, ways always wrong. 

That run the sinner into hell, 
To try his hard endurance long. 

Forsaken by the friend of man, 
Forgotten by the living all; 

With misery in the burning pan, 
Conscience tormenting still the soul. 

Oh ! let us ever pity, then 
The thoughtless drunkard, thus consum'd ; 

For want of love shown unto men. 
Who is to misery always doom'd. 

"Man's inhumanity to man" 
Sells liquor, mix'd with want and woe, 

For sake of gain, an evil plan, 
Which many wink at, tho' they know. 

The Christian may be much profess'd, 
The pulpit often occupied, 

Ev'n Sinners pray'd to, and address'd. 
But how much practice here e'er has lied? 

Wake up! w^ake upl ye son's of men. 
Let reason stablish only right, 

Banish the wrong, the mean, the vain, 
But keep humanity in sight. 
Aug. /o, 187%. 



Rhymes on Intemperance, 31 

AUr ULEGT, 

[The supposed Lament and Reflections of Mr. Gor- 
don on the death of his Mare Bessy]. 

O Bessy's dead, our own good mare, 
And heavy is my heart with care ; 
When threshing, how at Mr. Lee's, 
The terror did upon her sieze; 
Her sore affliction, pain, and death 
Came o'er me like a thing of stealth, 
Beat down my head, my mind to toss, 
Weigh'd on my heart a heavy loss. 

Yes, Bessy's dead, my hope, my care. 

Relations must affliction share ; 

Living, she was a real gain. 

But dead, she yields me naught but pain, 

She was a friend whom all might need, 

A docile, free, and mettled steed 

As need to walk upon a road, 

A cheerful puller of a load. 

So strong, so true, so good to draw, 

She was a friend without a flaw, 

A useful aid in many a way, 

A steady help on many a day, 

A noble beast — who less would say ? 

Amidst the throng, the hours of toil 

It almost made my mind recoil, 

"With cool and sad reflection's check, 

From all its free extension back — 

Back to a dearth of every joy. 

Nay, it had almost made me cry ; 

The big round tear stood in mine eye, 

For sad ^vas I her woe to see, 

Thak e'er we thus should parted be 

From friendship, labor, hope and gain; 

Oh ! who his grief cowld now refrain. 



32 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

Yes, Bessy's dead ! — while working well 
Death's cruel hands shot forth an arrow, 

"Who should essay the cause to tell, 
Where partial reasons are too narrow. 

She lived to feed — she bled to die, 
With inflamation running high. 

'Tis thus the drunkard, thoughtless weight, 

In ruins pleasure doth delight, 

And deepest draughts doth fearless take, 

Till all his limbs with palsy shake, 

Strong rum will set the soul on fire, 

And cherish many a wrong desire ; 

While every drink brings thirst again, 

Unquench'd his thirst doth aye remain ; 

Bound is his soul, body and all, 

That downwards to destruction roll. 

In habits adamantine chain, 

To suffer loss, and grief, and pain. 

Thus oft we see man in the way 

Of stupid folly go astray. 

Who loves to drink each heavy tide. 

That -laves the shores of life. 
Who loves to feed the lust of pride 

Where sin and death are rife, 
Defiles his Maker's image, sinks 

The human in the brute. 
But at the judgment 'pending, winks 

To taste the bitter fruit ; 
He plucks not from the tree of life 

Sweet immortality, 
But eats the fruit of care and strife, 

And riots carnally. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 33 

His pulse beats fast with fever high, 
And fiery red each blood shot eye ; 
Surfeited oft to sicken, die; 
Who eats too much, and thinks too little, 
Chews, smokes, snuffs, drinks, e'ven wastes 

his spittle. 
The slave of vice and folly, 
He eyes the world with looks of pleasure, 
And time takes always at his leisure. 
Knows nothing of that fairer treasure 

That tender melancholy, 
By good men loved, those truly great 
In soul, who can anticipate 
The full enjoyment, free from fate. 
Of Heaven's eternal, happy state; 
But topes and wassails beyond measure, 
To fail at last beneath the pressure 

Of God and nature's retribution, 
Down- trodden 'neath the verdant sod ; 
Who always walks the sinner's road. 

Ne'er makes on earth a restitution 
For gifts and mercies he has got, 
He shall be cursed woe be his lot. 
Though insect like his fancies play 
A little while, a sunny day. 
Like butterfly so passing gay. 
Which flies without a wish to stay 
From flower to flower, from spray to spray, 
Till sickness blasts its life away. 

But he must render up account 

For moments gone to waste, 
Or suffer to the full amount 

A conscience of unrest. 



34 Rhy7nes on Intemperance. 

Who revels here in a wicked sphere, 
Nor heeds that there's enthron'd on high 
A God with an all-seeing eye, 
A God who long hath mercy shown, 
To whom his weaknesses are known, 
Who long his judgment hath foreborne, 
Midst his wild career of scorn. 

The drunkard cries another glass. 

When, hark ! a voice in dreadful tone 

Pale death appears, he dies, alas! 
Where is he gone ? 

O where the would be Christian tends, 
In worldly-mindedness he ends ; 
He drinks too deep of carnal things, 
He pulls too hard at Mammon's strings ; 
He lives for gain, he hoards in doubt. 
Till life's short lease in Death runs out. 
Behold him sit at heaven's door, 
*A houseless soul' most abject, poor. 
There is to him who hath not wisely strive 
No hope of rest, no invitation given. 
No door of mercy opens wide. 
The soul that sins what woes betide ; 
Fix'd irrevocable is his doom, 
Death shrouds his soul in endless gloor 
Then let the glutton mark his care, 
The wretched miser watch his share, 
For full surfeit, or penurious fare, 
Let such beware of many a snare : 
For Bessy's dead, our own good mare ! 
And heavy is my heart with care, — 
Oh ! would not for a hundred dollars 
She thus had died, oh ! gloomy colours, 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 35 

Oh ! murky shades, oh vain ambitions ! 
Oh joys soon fled, oh dear delusions ! 
How oft ye warp the mind of man, 
How oft ye darken o'er his span, 
How oft ye sieze his little joys 
And leave him naught but groans and 
sighs ; 

Since Bessy's dead, our own good mare. 
A faithful friend whoe'er would gain, 
She died, but ne'er to live again ; 
When joy wakes not, what hopes are vain. 
Though hope might ne'er, might ne'er 
despair, 

Yet give me wings to fly from care. 

P'or adverse fortune cruelly casts 

Her with'ring influence in this hour, 

Like Boreas' cold, wintry blasts 

Amidst the snow's descending shower; 

The flakes of snow descend and hide 

The precious life-blood's crimson tide. 

Forth issuing from an open vein. 

The skilful farrier tries in vain 

To probe the cause, the life blood flows. 

But inflamation, fever, pain 

Have stretch'd her nerves, no more to 

strain. 
Those swollen limbs ne'er will draw again. 
Methought she might have been a stay 
To lighten toil and care away. 
How oft is man in prospect cheated, 
On which he builds his hopes conceited ; 
How oft they fail ere half completed. 
Change of views, him only leaving. 
What once was joy is care annoying, 



36 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

What once was loved is peace destroying ; 
This comes of all of earth's alloying; 
Giving him much cause for grieving ; 
And ah ! this oft dispels the dreams 
That haunt the brain of mortal man ; 
This conies of ill- concerted schemes, 
•Which to project is all we can. 
How oft, too oft, we mortals find, 
With bosom fears, and troubled mind, 
Our future prospects all confin'd, 
W^ith clouds before and storm behind. 
But what can sorrow e'er avail, 
Which words can ne'er suffice to tell, 
When language fails, when tears are shed. 
Grief must prevail ; now Bessy^s dead ! 



ME LBS. 

A gentle word of good advice 
Is better than a glass of rum. 

Which grips too oft' in ruins vice 
Until the very sOul is numb. 

A kindly call to needful prayer 
Is better cheer, is greater aid. 

To disentangle from the snare 
Of habits by us evil made. 

Look up, there is a Friend of youth 
Who with an eye of pity sees 

Our every weakness, and in truth 
Sees all our fa»lts, our enemies. 

Confess your sins before his face, 
To save you who is standing byj 

He has a fountain full of grace, 
To cleanse from all impurity. 
Febriiary 13, 1878. 



Rhytnes on Intemperance. 37 

Verses written by request, for the Temperance Ban- 
er, published, and read befa'e the members of the 
'emperance movement at Rost.C.eek city, Nebraska, 
•'ebruary, 1878. 

LADIES* ADURESS, 

To The Young Men. 
I. 
All we young ladies, howe'er meek 
However young, however weak, 
Each have an object, 'tis to seek 

A J/ero, 'till we find one. 
One, that is free from every vice, 
Will love and harken to advice, 
Leave off bad habits, so unnice ; 

A noble, good, and kind one. 

2. 

Yes, want to find a nobleman. 
One true to God, and nature's plan, 
Willing to work, do all he can 

To aid the Temperance movement. 
For life is short, the hours fly fast, 
The scenes of youth will soon be passed. 
Habits, once formed, through life may last; 

Our object is improvement. 

3- 

Come all you young men, we would see 
If you have got, as from vice free, 
The sign of true nobility. 

As each of us would find one. 
We do not care for godless wealth, 
Nor lying rogues that live by stealth. 
Give each an honest soul with health, 

A temperate, good, and kind one. 



38 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

,- 4. 
When such a hesivfen-sent prize is won, 
Our joy in life shall have begun, 
With pleasure every thing be done, 

We'll see a great improvement; 
Of truth, and justice, we will sing. 
To love and friendship closely cling. 
Our homes with music then shall ring, 

To praise the Temperance movement 



[By Request.] 

GENTLEMEN'S EEPLY TO THE 
JLAniES. 

I. 

Then here we come, so gallant all. 

To sign the Pledge at Temperance' call. 

And say it with the noblest soul. 

To please ye gentle Ladies, 
That we will come, that we will go. 
Wherever fortune's favors flow 
Wherever fortunes breezes blow, 

Twixt Cape Farewell and Cadiz. 

2. 

And each will act like noblemen. 
Living up well to nature's plan. 
To please ye Ladies, all we can. 

Looking so like our sisters ; 
That, each will try a ready hand, 
Use every tool he can command. 
Like farmers plough and till the land 

To raise the bread and blisters* 



♦Blisters; pieces of meat fried. 



Ehymes on Intemperance, 39 

3- 

Thjit while our homes look clean and neat 
That while our bread tastes fresh and sweet. 
That we will look and clean our feet 

Upon the point of duty, 
Nor shall we quaff the flowing wine, 
When each has love so sweet and fine, 
To warm his heart like love divine, 

Or light with smiles of beauty. 



4. 

While guarded by his word of truth, 
To temperance, wisdom, love, and ruth, 
Then shall God favor all our youth. 

And bless in special manner, 
Each with his Lady, arm in arm, 
When Moon and stars shine on the farm. 
Will walk, and know there is a charm 

Beneath the Temperance Banner. 



TSE TWO IjOAFERS. 

What we differ'd in opinion, 
What we quarrel'd for dominion ; 
Though such thing as foolish fighting, 
Only dogs should e'er delight in. 



Yet we tore each other furious. 
Others seeing thought it curious ; 
How we thrash'd each other soundly, 
Ah ! we hated most profoundly. 



40 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

We had better both been working 
Than each other's faces burking, 
Better been at home, and sleeping, 
Than such blackguard company keeping 



When we made too free with whisky, 
Drinking deeply soon got frisky ; 
We on bolder language ventured, 
Then at Danger's Gate we enter'd. 



Then we look'd no more like foxes, 
But began to get some boxes, 
How weheav'd, and reel'd.andstumblec 
And against each other grumbled. 

Had we seen with clearest vision. 
Free from folly, pride, ambition; 
Had we never been refracted, 
We had ne'er like monkeys acted. 



Had we never been so funning, 
Never been so mean, nor cunning. 
Never met, nor drank, nor smoked. 
We had ne'er so madly talked. 

What is left of all our pleasure ? 
Joy we prized as misers treasure ? 
What of all our great acquaintance ? 
Nothing now, but sad repentance I 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 41 

TSE SAZOONIST. 

The saloon-keeper wishes all 

Would to his counter and take drink ; 
The preachers, teachers, every soul 

Himself would prompt them how to tliink. 

To be most social, take a glass, 
To speak him kindly every day ; 

And on to whiskey's glory pass. 
The sinner's rapid downward way. 

Thus he o'er others seeks control. 

By ruin's very evil plan. 
His is a very narrow soul, 

He is a very lazy man. 

No love nor goodness does he show, 
No moral grandeur has in view, 

Who plunges sinners into woe, 

Their thoughtless folly here to rue. 

Is there no punishment for him ? 

Fame breathes for him an evil breath. 
His future's clouded, looking dim 

With something worser even than death* 

Yes, let him die, to hades sink, 

Who others' ruin only plans. 
Who only evil lives to think, 

Him God from mercy justly bans. 

March if>, 1880. 



42 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

THE DRJJyKAItn. 

The quiet of a conscience free, 
From cause of quarrel or offense, 

Is not imperatively to be 
The drunkard's show of wit or sense. 

With many a row and many a fall, 
"Who onward hastens to that bourne, 

Where sinks the sin o'er burthen'd soul- 
But here, oh ! never more returns. 



SOME CLINCiriNG THOUGHTS, 

The saloonist the drunkard forces 

Into a lower hell than death, 
For whom his everlasting curses 

Pour forth in ever- burning breath. 

How dare you speak of whiskey's glory ! 

Withdraw the curtain from before ; 
The drunkard tells his own sad story 

In lamentations o'er and o'er. 

Show us a scene in whiskey's parlor: 
A table stands with glasses on, 

Where drunkards show imppssion'd valor 
O'er cards played, money lost and won. 

However social his seducer. 

With manners bland and cunning speech, 
He is the drundards worst abuser. 

Sucking his purse worse than a leech. 

Ye money-loving liquor-venders, 

Hear ye whose children cry for bread ; 

Why take ye what their father tenders ? 
Oh ! give him loaves and clothes instead. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 43 

Oh ! give him mercy's kindly look ; 

Oh ! let him feel the force of truth ; 
Tell him to read God's holy Book, 

The hope of age and guide of youth. 
March ib, /880. 

AB8TA.IN. 

Abstain tetotally from wrong, 

Leave bad companions one and all ; 

Seek only good to stay among. 

To refine the pleasures of the soul. 

Abstain from every evil thing, 

All 'toxial drinks, as they are ill ; 

While only evil from them spring. 

To wrong, to wrong they prompt the will. 

Be sure, ye thoughtless, idle throng. 

Ye mortals weary of dull life, 
To sing the total abstinence song, 

Aloof from scenes with error rife. 

Be sure from evil understood 

That you most safely have abstain'd; 

Abstain'd from drink that fires the blood ; 
Taste not, lose not, think what is gain'd. 

Evil's no loss while good is gain'd ; 

By keeping out of sinful strife 
A noble character's sustain'd ; 

Duty best shows an honest life. 

But fired with burning stimulants 
The soul soon feels its hell on earth ; 

For drink, for drink it only pants — 
Not things of most enduring worth. 



44 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

By keeping on the Zion road, 

Evil is passed and good is gain'd; 

Duty is done by honoring God ; 

Justly is right and truth maintained. 

The wise all praise safe abstinence, 
While others good example see ; 

To appreciate true worth and sense, 
vSeeking the best good company. 
March 12, 18S0. 

JEPIGJRAMS. 

I. 

♦ Behold within the mean saloon 
Full many a whisky-loving sot, 
"With folly luny every Moon, 
All wisdom teached him as forgot. 
Who sits to drink, but cannot think 
How there he fools away his time. 
Who sits to talk, but cannot walk 
W^here duty done would look sublime. 

11. 

Behold within a cozy room, 
The drunkard's money stak'd-put down; 
Ah! soon he finds his fortune's doom 
Equals the faro den's renown. 
Ah ! that is bad, for he feels sad. 
He cannot stake another chance ; 
Drink crazes him, his senses swim. 
Around his eye-balls wildly glance. 

III. 

Man learns bad habits here, because 
From merely monkey mean descended ; 
The animal within him does 
Incline him worse than e'er intended. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 45 

His folly smokes 

As simply jokes 
Till precious time and money's wasted. 

He random thinks 

At reason winks, 
Until to want and ruin hasted. 

IV. 

Man learns bad habits here — because 
He, having pluck'd forbidden fruit, 
Still loves to taste it, tho' he knows 
It may not all his nature suit, 

He tastes it still 

With perverse will, 
Nor God's commandments cares to keep, 

But eats and drinks. 

And nods and winks 
Until in death he falls asleep. 



MOW HAPBT ARE THEY, 



GERMAN AIR. 



How happy are they 
Who are walking the way 

Of the followers all of the Lord. 
Who wisely have chose 
The good temperance cause, 

And now pledge to live up to their word. 

How happy are they 

Who its laws still obey 
To find joy in the rulings of right. 

They find that the road 

They are on leads to God 
And their hearts in his goodness delight. 



46 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

How happy are they 

Who let reason bear sway. 
And refrain from the drunkard's deep drams, 

When tempted to drink 

Who have grace and can think — 
And can sing the sweet joy-giving psalms. 

How happy are they 

Who in ail things obey 
The good will of their Savior and Lord ; 

Tho' humble in mind 

Who are loving and kind 
And will others good counsels aftbrd. 

They love to behold 

Both the young and the old 
As delighted to walk in the way — 

The way of true right 

To increase their delight 
And among all the righteous to stay. 
March, j8, 1880. 

THS EVIL TTSJS OF TONGUE. 

My muse once more would strike the lyre. 
As she has oft accuslom'd sung, 

She now would catch poetic fire 
To sing the evil use af tongue. 

There's many evils found among 

Mankind, that custom seems to teach, 

And one the evil use of tongue ; 
Is not all lying sinful speech? 

Then things of evil often told 
Do not improve our morals here, 

But rather tend to make us bold, 
And sometimes buy experience dear. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 47 

Too much of tongue is often evil 
Too much of any thing is bad, 

Especially when its uncivil 

And apt to make the bosom sad. 

The tongue of slander oft is heard, 

As often busy finding fault; 
Words soft and kind are more preferr'd 

Than those wing'd like a thunder bolt 

When language is abusive coarse, 

With words of fire and oaths obscene, 
Retaliation comes in force 

As punishment for being mean. 

The tongue, unruly member, by it 

How much is won, maintained, or lost ? 

It preaches peace, or raises riot 
When feelings into storms are tost. 

The tongue's a symbol of the spirit 
Of man, the index of his mind; 

A brief outline foretells the merit 
Which may within be well defin'd. 

If thou couldst read the human heart, 
Couldst know thy own and neighbor's 
mind ; 

Thou surely wouldst not cause such smart 
With words uncivil, tho'ts unkind. 

Be calm, considerate and wise, 

With caution striving against wrong, 

If thou wouldst harken to advise 
Forethoughtful then 

O spare the tongue. 



48 Rhymes on Inttniperana. 

THE WAGGING TGNGTTJS, 

I. woman's. 

Woman's Tongue is seen a wagging, 
Wagging often, seldom still ; 

Woman's tongue's so often bragging 
Too much speaking hard and ill. 

How so full of blind conceit ? 

Lovely woman should be sweet, 

Humble looking, meek in face, 

Show off only modest grace 

With an aim. 

Is conceit not mental weakness? 

Some say woman's very weak, 
Is not pride a sort of sickness? 

Do some show with painted cheek 
Sickening pride, as strong in folly; 
Far too vain for melancholy. 
Weak in reason, sick in sin, 
In their fancies light and thin — 
That is them. 

When the spirit's very snappish 

How the tongue wags always ill; 
Spite of lust, or feelings rapish, 

Kill's the love it should instill. 
When the thoughts that in us rise 
Blind all beauty from our eyes, 
When our feelings make us weep 
Beauty only is skin-deep 

A hem — hem. 

Woman's tongue hark vilely wagging, 

Sue says are you jealous Dick ? 
Woman's tongue so always bragging 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 49 

If you are I'll leave you quick. 
What's the matter with you now? 
What's that cloud upon your brow ? 
Dick says lightning strikes to kill, 
And it thunders o'er us still 

All a-flame. 

Dick he drinks and cheats and gambles, 

Sue gives parties, feasts and flares ; 
Dick from home now often rambles, 

Sue she pawns her household wares. 
While the lawyers stand around, 
While the judge he looks profound. 
While the oaths administer'd. 
Falsely tell how humans eri'd — 

That's the game. 

Hark the lawyers loud intoning, 

Madam should be free, 
Says the judge midst yawns and groaning 

Write the severance it must be; 
Never matter what the Bill, 
Comes divorce of devilish will. 
Long sour'd milk is worse than none, 
Yet some good if but for one 

Choose the same. 

With the tongue incessant wagging, 
Comes no good result to men; ^ 

Woman's tongue is loosely bragging. 
Is as wicked as its vain ; 

And the apple that Eve ate 

Adam tasted for hard fate ; 

With the drink which Adam dra»k 

Eve into misfortune sank — 

Morals lame. 



5o Rhymes on Intemperance. 

But how will it go with Adam, 

If as Mary Walker said, 
Rivers run with blood, for Madam, 

With the ballot in her aid. 
With mankind in her employ 
To assault the walls of Troy, 
And for Helen's beauty fair 
To deluge the world with care. 
What a game. 

How a wagging tongue will quiver, 

Feeling heated as with shame; 
From its power good Lord deliver, 

For it kindles into flame. 
Kindles up as we can prove 
Not with friendship, truth, and love, 
Kindles with a heated breath 
Full of hatred, malice, death. 

Shun the same. 

Though a wagon tongue be useful, 

You can put two horses in ; 
But the wagging tongue abuseful 

Is like some rash two-horse sin ; 
With its own coarse heavy sway. 
In its evil, downward way, 
In the darkness of its hour, 
In its hate-producing power. 

And ill fame. 



TS:E WA.GGING TVJS CUJS. 

II. man's , 

Oh man's tongue is heard a wagging, 
Lord-a-mercy! how it wags. 



Rhymes on Intemperance, 5 1 

Vanity is in his bragging, 

As he talks he often brags; — 
Looks into his parlor glass, 

Smiles upon the grandest ass 
That e'er walk'd the verdant earth 

Since creation had its birth. 
That is him ! 

With conceit his eyes a-flashing 

Deep in pride his thoughts are stuck ; 
In all beauty, love and passion, 

Dower'd with hope, he dreams of luck ; 
And he hungers for the praise 

Of mankind, and happy days 
To triumph above all scorn, 

As to greatest fortune born. 
Even him. 

"Weakest wishes' dull romancing. 

What are these the soul to guide ? 
With no surer aim advancing 

We bemoan our falling pride, 
Learn to stoop as feeling humble, 

Or, against the fates to grumble ; 
Dole out life a little while 

Without fortunes golden smile — 
Seeing dim. 

Human hopes and earthly troubles, 

"Best laid schemes of mice and men ;" 
Often on each other doubles, 

''Leave us naught but grief and pain" 
Leave us little where the surges 

Of mankind their interest urges 
Like a great and swelling tide 

Pouring o'er the ocean wide 

Dark and grim. 



52 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

Hear man speak among earth's giants, 

Talk unto the little ones. 
Upon self his great reliance 

But when self is crush'd he moans, 
Kings can rule dominions wide 

Keeping court with power and pride, 
But o'er self how few can rule 

Without finding passion fuel? 
Few, or none. 

"What is self e'er without spirit ? 

To build up ambition's aim ? 
What is man here without merit? 
Hopeless as without a name. 
. All the fashion of his face 

Youth and beauty, love and grace. 
Pass like bubbles down time's stream 
While hope sheds a fitful gleam 
Glancing on. 

Little room for wordy bragging 

Looking through a fleeting hour. 
Little cause for tongues a wagging 

Without honor, love, or power. 
To a righteous seeing eye 

There's no honesiy in a lie, 
But the heart, the heart deprav'd, 

Is with every vice enslaved 

Clearly shown. 

Some are fond of mind dominion 
As a belle is fond of dress, 

Hear them urging their opinion 
Wearying with their tediousness. 

Hear them in and out of season 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 53 

Urging every sense and reason 
That another may be taught 

How accept the tender'd thought 
As a gem. 

How they marshal like an army 

Banded words of vocal might, 
And pour forth as if to harm ye 

For the sake of truth and right, 
"Where they love these would convince 

How they place full confidence ; 
Where the strength concentred lies 

Of the argument they prize 

Worthy fame. 

Oh man's tongue is heard a-wagging 

Running as before the wind, 
Vainly, vainly hear him bragging 

Tiny bits of little mind. 
Thoughts of earthly vanity, 

Hearts of frail humanity, 
Quiver with the moving tongue, 

Rush like rapid stream along 
With an aim. 

March 21 ^ /880. 



A JOE. 

New ale enriches much the blood, 
Still yielding fresh delight, 

Is for the health uncommon good 
When always tasted right. 

But he who is soon overthrown 
With prudence should make sure, 

Should safely let strong ale elone, 
And keep his motives pure. 



54 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

For with much drink men will get tight 

A feeling like to burst, 
That is the deil's supreme delight 

And triumph o'er the just. 

What is the use of feeling tight. 

Far better to be loose ; 
What is the use of ill delight, 

When better we can choose. 

To get mad-drunk is void of sense ; 

Man shows worse than a beast 
Who acts with brazen impudence — 

Of evil much possest. 

To get red-hot with drinking, and 

Self-deify the sot. 
Is most absurd, against command, 

A blot upon man's lot. 

To drink, and drink without an aim 
Is the way to do our worst. 

Both worse in purse, and worse in fame 
Is doubly bad accurst. 

Then let strong ale alone who can, 

O let it safe alone ; 
For sadly by it many a man 

Is truly overthrown. 

Drown'd in the deep Red Sea of ruin 
Dark waves come rolling round. 

No more vain pleasures here pursuing 
On Death's advantage ground. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 55 

Let whisky, rum, and ale alone, 

No fierce temptation rouse, 
Better to know cold poverty's bone 

Than deep in drink carouse. 
July 7, 7579. 

THEM TWAIN JLJtE ONE. 

HE. 
I hate a scolding woman in toto, 
She sings too much the evil use of tongue. 

SHE. 
I hate a drunken husband in toto. 
As quarelsome, smelling of liquor strong. 

HE. 
Woman that scolds, talks too much like a 

shrewd, 
Feels like offending, without love endued, 

SHE. 
And man that drinks is surely ready set 
To take offense, untangling cupid's net. 

HE. 
But were you not a shrewd, you would like 

love 
Be talking here, and not to anger move. 

SHE. 
Oh we are earthly all, to anger given, 
We cannot always love, or 'twould be 
heaven. 

HE. 
By wrangling, sensual nature is increased, 
Scolding is neither fit for man nor beast. 



56 Rhymes on Intemperance, 

SHE. 
Drinking is neither fit for man nor beast, 
It makes of man a brute, to say the least, 

HE. 
You speak too devilish sharp, as without 

feeling 
All kindly sense, all social love congealing. 

SHE. 
Because, by drinking you are surely doing 
What will to both bring certain woeful ruin. 

HE. 

I would not drink, but home is not like 

heaven, 
When you are scolding, I am done and 

driven. 

SHE. 
That shows your conscience, as you felt its 

might. 
You may be happy yet by doing right. 

HE. 
You leave off scolding, I will leave off drink- 
ing, _ 
And that will look as right as love a-winking. 

SHE. 
Agreed, agreed, my honest-hearted fellow, 
Love's always right, like apple ripe and 

mellow. 
March 22, j88o. 



Rhymes on Intemperance , 57 

1)0 A.ND no NOT, 

O, do not show Almighty weakness ! 
Show gentle manners, chilklike meekness ! 

Passions should not be sported, 

Dangers should not be courted. 
O put away your human blindness, 
Try using more of loving kindness; 

Actions are mental moulded, 

Judgments after, unfolded, 
O be not then thro' folly spiteful. 
But climb up nearer scenes delightful; 

There is a heaven of beauty 

In every moral duty, 
And there's a time-improving pleasure 
Counting all virtue bosom treasure. 

Doing the best as truth discerning, 

For knowledge teaches various learning, 
Its precepts should be heeded. 
All gardens should be weeded; 

The mind needs careful cultivation 

To adorn its human habitation, 
O give it good improving 
With spirit kind and loving, 

To rise and soar with high ambition 

Above its worldly low condition. 
All hearenly things desiring. 
Of faith*and hope's inspiring, 

With change of heart so happily given 

To reach our Father's home in Heaven. 

March jy, 1880. 

TETOTALER ANI> JDBUNKARD. 

DIALOGUE. 

T. — Will is nothing without thought, 
Cant you think to will aright ? 



58 Rhymes on Intemperance, 

D. — Yes I can, so help me God, 

With thy love, and truth, and light. 

T. — But they tell me that you drink 
When in drink is fire of hell 

D. — How when drinking it I think 
That I taste it just as well. 

T. — Deep as e'er you taste of evil 
Wilful like it will prevail. 
What is stronger than the Devil ? 
What is surer than his Hell ? 

D. — But without a little taste 

Now and then our health may fail, 
Health is given us not to waste, 
Health enjoyments must prevail. 

T — Call ye Drunkard's life enjoyment 
Set on fire with flames of Hell ; 
Then is drinking sweet employment 
. Until woeful want prevail. 

D. — Can you Christian life so good 

All unmixed with drink his victual ? 
Call you physics understood 
When he cannot taste a little ? 

T. — Sure we call the best of physic 

Mix'd with God's sweet loving spirit, 
Cure for care, or sins, or ptysii:. 
Full of soul-endowing merit. 

D. — Is there aught in all religion 

That can save a soul from death? 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 59 

T. — Yes, our God, whose saints are legion, 
Giveth souls immortal breath. 
Is there not a balm in Gilead ? 
Not a good physician there ? 
Little learn'd from Homer's Illiad, 

Read God's book with earnest prayer. 

D. — Like as Paul so ably argued 
You are powerful to persuade, 
Almost turning to be Christian 
There is weight where truth is said. 

T — Turn, be blessed with Christian rules, 
God can set the captive free ; 
When he numbereth up his jewels 
It shall then be well with thee. 

March 23, 18&0. 

REFLECTIONS. 

See the drunkard without beauty, 

Moping sit in Bachus' court 
He would shun all moral duty. 

Who would to such place resort. 

On he goes without reflection, 
Hurrying wildly without fear ; 

Wrong and ruin claim connection, 
Strew with thorns his rough career. 

Darkest fate his sense confounding — 
Oh ! he dare not look ahead ; 

Evil language most abounding — 

Words which should arouse the dead. 

Is his heart with passion glowing? 

Is there anger in his speech ? 
Flames of hell upon him blowing, 

Placing within misery's reach. 



6o Rhymes on Intemperance. 

More his foe than friend caressing, 
All unblest his earthly lot, 

All unhappy, all unblessing, 
Love nor fortune has he got. 

Oh his heart, his heart is riven, 
When his conscience feels its hell, 

Hope can never mount to Heaven 
When the Demon must prevail. 

Demon Drink brings deep damnation, 
Demon Drink lowers every hope; 

Brings his brains wild aberration, 
No, he can not, can not stop! 

Lo ! he's sinking in confusion. 
Dying in his sin and shame ; 

Hope for him — what vain delusion! 
Love, without a proper name. 

March 24, 1880. 



TUB nitUNKAItn'S JOYS. 

Behold his joys like shadows fleeting, 

Who, thoughtless pours them down his 
throat ; 

Nor love nor friendship lend him greeting, 
Like lovely things with happy tho't. 

Lo ! Love beholds him without wishing 

To be his wife, or paramour ; 
And friendship is without ambition 

To be acquainted with him more. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 6 1 

Vain are his hopes, vain his enjoyments, 
In nartow'st bounds his soul compress'd, 

Living without all good employment, 
As all unblessing, all unblest. 

As all unblest and all unblessing, 

Behold him left alone to mope, 
The slave of vice, the most bebasing, 

There is for him no certain hope. 

No certain hope of good improvement, 

Of virtue forming in his soul, 
A well-spring for the heart's belovement, 

Drinking in pleasures heavenly all. 

A world of scorn and pride and fashion 
Around — looks freezing coldly on. 

Or, whirls in some fantastic passion. 
But seldom lets a heart be known. 

The thoughtless ones display their folly, 
The worldly wise that license grant ; 

The saloonist the liquor poisons. 
To snare, entice to ruin's want. 

In ruin's rum, in damning drink, still 
The drunkard drowns all pleasant joys, 

All happy hopes — at care he winks, still 
His whole ambition drink employs. 

For drink he leaves his wife and children, 
For drink leaves home and oft employ; 

The Demon every sense bewildering. 
Oh ! is this then the Drunkard's Joy? 



62 Rhymes on Intemperance. 

The Drunkard dies, and oh! alas ! how 
We know his utter deep despair; 

The Drunkard dies without his glass too, 
But misery is his portion where. 

March 2b,j8So. 

MERCIFUL. 

Oh pause, consider, tho'tful ever, 
An erring soul is happy never. 
Methinks the Drunkard should lie low, 
Nor worse, nor better ever know. 
Weeds, only weeds, above him grow. 

If there's no mercy for the drinker, 
How much for reason's lowest thinker ? 
It would be hard to fix his doom 
Midst darkest nights eternal gloom. 
With ought of suffering — past the tomb. 

As man, when sway'd and teach'd with 

reason, 
Makes most of every time and season ; 
He talks to know, and reads to learn, 
That he may every good discern. 
All vicious habits he will spurn. 

The future clouds o'er headless folly. 

The present looks most melancholy, 

Beyond a transitory joy. 

Who looks not, lets not care annoy, 

No heaven- wing'd tho'ts his soul employ. 

There is no hope for tho'tless mortal 
Beyond the tomb, death's gloomy portal ; 
Drink not at all, think wisely well. 
And let they soul's ambition swell 
With happy visions Immortelle. 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 63 

The eye of God is pitiful, 
Our Heavenly Father merciful, 
And he may take us to his home, 
How glorious is his boundless room. 
Where he invites us all to come. 
March 27, 1880. 



TO INIQUITY. 

Oh ! Iniquity most intense, 

Oh ! Drunkenness w^ithout good sense, 

Unto posterity come down 

With evil stead of good renown. 

Our great forefathers err'd by thee; 
Their errors in ourselves we see. 
How weak thy were, to thee inclin'd, 
So likewise we with erring mind. 

Thou sinkest man into the beast, 
With every vice by thee increas'd; 
Communications most obscene, 
Make human nature to look mean. 

Tho' loving wisdom teaches some 
How easily vice may be o'ercome, 
Yet vice inbred into our youth 
Opposes wisdom, love and truth. 

Oh, Iniquity understood, 

Thou art opposed to every good, 

The farthest, worst extreme we feel. 

With naught to save, with naught to heal, 



64 



Rhymes on Intemperance. 



For every gain thou hast a loss, 
For every good thou hast a cross, 
For every joy thou hast a sorrow. 
And little promise for to-morrow. 

Oh never yet wouldst thou befriend, 
A hopeful duty to amend ; 
Oh never yet would Iniquity 
Upon man turn an eye of pity. 
March 27, 18S0. 



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